Alfred Blue (28) of the Houston Texans rushes up the middle as he gets a block from Jeff Adams on Shayne Skov of the San Francisco 49ers in the first half at Reliant Arena at Reliant Park on Aug. 15, 2015 in Houston, Texas. less

Alfred Blue (28) of the Houston Texans rushes up the middle as he gets a block from Jeff Adams on Shayne Skov of the San Francisco 49ers in the first half at Reliant Arena at Reliant Park on Aug. 15, 2015 in ... more

Photo: Bob Levey /Getty Images

Image 3 of 5

Houston Texans tackle David Quessenberry, left, works with Houston tackle Jeff Adams (70) during Texans training camp with the Washington Redskins at the Bon Secours Training Center on Friday, Aug. 7, 2015, in Richmond, Va. less

Houston Texans tackle David Quessenberry, left, works with Houston tackle Jeff Adams (70) during Texans training camp with the Washington Redskins at the Bon Secours Training Center on Friday, Aug. 7, 2015, in ... more

HOUSTON — The conversations held by the Texans’ offensive line tend to run the gamut, touching on everything from current events and politics to food, music, movies and, of course, blocking schemes.

If anyone’s ever stumped on an outside-the-box, intellectual topic, they have an Ivy Leaguer to rely upon for answers. Jeff Adams is a soft-spoken Columbia graduate whose versatility as a swing offensive tackle who’s also capable of filling in at left guard has increased his value to the offensive line.

Express Newsletters

Get the latest news, sports and food features sent directly to your inbox.

“Jeff’s a real smart guy obviously coming out of Columbia, and, if a real interesting question comes up outside of football, we’ll say, ‘Columbia, what do you think?’“ Texans right offensive guard Brandon Brooks said. “He has that blue-collar attitude where he doesn’t say much, but he gets the job done. He’s very intelligent.”

As the Texans attempt to upgrade their depth and positional flexibility, Adams has emerged as an answer to several questions and become a key piece of the offensive line while left guard Xavier Su’a-Filo remains sidelined with a foot-ankle, soft-tissue injury.

More Information

Texans

key dates

Saturday: Preseason game vs. Broncos, 7 p.m., WOAI

Aug. 25: Camp ends.

Aug. 30: Preseason game @Saints, 3 p.m., Fox

Sept. 3: Preseason game @Cowboys, 7 p.m., KABB, WOAI

Sept. 13: Regular-season opener vs. Chiefs, noon, CBS

Beyond what Adams has accomplished by being knowledgeable and skilled enough to line up at left tackle, right tackle or guard, the Texans are trying to build that type of skill set throughout the line to make themselves less vulnerable should they lose one of their five starters to a long-term injury.

That ambition was on display during the Texans’ 23-10 victory over the 49ers, albeit with mixed results. The highlights were no sacks allowed and a punishing running game generated 146 yards on 45 carries. However, the goal line offense was a major disappointment as the Texans were stuffed seven times during one drive by the 49ers’ front seven.